SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama is demonstrating his all-around skillset this preseason.
He can pass, run the floor, score and play stellar defense—and with his height and length, he has the potential to become one of the greatest to play in the NBA.
But an open question remains: Will he inevitably succumb to foot injuries that have cut short the careers of past NBA players his size?
For example: Rockets great Yao Ming. At 7-foot-6, he saw his playing career end in 2011, citing injuries to his foot and ankle, including a third fracture to his left foot he suffered in 2010.
Of course, Ming carried a heavier frame (310 pounds) and Wembanyama (210 pounds) is just 19 years old and has not developed his body fully.
It's also well-documented that Wemby and his coaches have been mindful of his feet, ankles and overall health throughout his career even before entering the NBA.
They've taken all precautions to minimize wear and tear on his feet and ankles for years, via a variety of exercises. The Spurs also brought onto their staff Wembanyama's longtime trainer, Guillaume Alquier, who has done a remarkable job preparing the rookie's body for the rigors of basketball.
However, accidents can happen over the course of an NBA game.
Wembanyama has shown he can score from the perimeter. Whether it is a mid-range shot or a long 3-pointer, the Spurs rookie has a knack for making shots away from the basket.
That means his feet and ankles are vulnerable when coming down from jumpers, or when rebounding with an opposing player crowding his airspace.
Also, there's the repeated stress on his feet and ankles from jumping and landing during an 82-game season.
However, the Spurs rookie isn't worried about that. He says proper joint-strength exercises will help in those situations.
"I think falling on your feet isn't a big deal if your joints are flexible enough," Wembanyama said. "It's not a concern for me."
The NBA has taken measures to prevent player injuries coming down from jump shots.
According to league rules, defenders must give airborne shooters the opportunity to land safely. Whether intentional or not, the NBA deems this a dangerous play and it will be penalized. Also, if the defender’s movement is deemed to be reckless, a flagrant foul may be assessed, the league rules state.
The Spurs will take the utmost precaution to help Wembanyama remain healthy either, through load management or the advanced rehabilitation tools the new Victory Capital Performance Center has to offer.
Twitter: @KENS5, @JeffGSpursKENS5
